Strategy	Language suggestions
Shared decision-making fosters comfort and collaboration between patient and physician
Present options	“We can try physical therapy, or we can try bracing. Another option that's available here is acupuncture. We're incorporating it more into our clinic.”
Explain risks and benefits	“I think acupuncture may help you. I've noticed in my own patients that it seems pretty beneficial. Eighty percent of my patients get better with acupuncture or have a positive response.” “Acupuncture is ideal for avoiding adverse effects of medications and returning people to work without impairment.”
Encourage patient reflection	“What are your thoughts on those options?” “What would you like to do?”
Be careful not to push the patient when offering information or attempting to overcome the patient's fear of needles	“There are more options available, but I recommend acupuncture. I use it on myself and my family to try to help with pain and discomfort.” “If you're uncomfortable with needles, let's try one needle in one point. Then we can talk about if you want to keep going.”
Make conscious wording choices
Avoid technical terms	Instead of: “I'm going to stick the needle in your Gall Bladder 41, and then I'm going to take this into Spleen 6.” Try: “This is a treatment where we just try to center your thoughts around calmness.”
Avoid words with negative connotations	Instead of: [when describing needle insertion] “This might hurt.” Try: “These are strong points. These are more powerful points.”
Carefully use or avoid traditional Chinese medicine terms	Instead of: “We're going to try a treatment called dragons, in which we move your energy to remove the demons.” Try: “The acupuncture treatment is going to help settle your body and your mind.”
Explain potential acupuncture outcomes, not just effectiveness
Clarify when to expect an effect	“If you get any response, that's good. Eventually, I want to get you spaced out to three to four months, so you're coming in for a maintenance treatment.” “Acupuncture is like unlocking a door. To unlock a locked door, first you have to pick up the key. That's your first appointment. Then you have to actually move toward the door, and that's your second treatment. You have to put the key in the door. That's your third treatment. Turn it, fourth; turn the handle, fifth; open the door, sixth; walk through, seventh. That's how acupuncture works—you're not going to see one treatment be a miracle. It's a stepwise process.”
Warn patients about a potential emotional response	“It's probably because you've been out of balance for awhile, and it feels uncomfortable to try and push you back into that equilibrium. That's okay if you feel bad for the first couple of days. It will get better. Any kind of a change is a good sign, because it means that we did something to activate that and to improve that for you.” “This may make you cry. This may make you laugh. I don't know what will happen, but it's not uncommon for emotions to process, and you to start to feel something during that time period when you're getting therapy.”